Journal of International Law & Human Rights

Global Warming and Climate Vulnerability in South Asia: A Qualitative Analysis of Extreme Weather, Himalayan Instability, and Human Security

2026-10-06T18:03:02+01:00

Climate change, with its effects on global warming, has become a major environmental and human security issue for South Asia, which is densely populated, sensitivity to climate, having socioeconomic inequalities and low adaptive capacity. This study qualitatively looks at the symptoms and impacts of global warming in south Asia especially extreme weather events, instability in the Himalayas, climate vulnerability and human security. A qualitative descriptive-interpretive research design is used and secondary data are drawn from peer-reviewed academic research, international and regional organisation reports, government and policy documents and credible contemporary news. Qualitative document analysis and thematic analysis are used to detect common themes on extreme heat, floods, droughts, glacier and snow loss, water insecurity, livelihood disruption, displacement and infrastructure vulnerability. Results show that global warming is aggravating interconnected and cascading South Asian risks, while vulnerable communities are disproportionately suffering social, economic, environmental, and human-security impacts. The 2026 disaster in the Nepal Himalayas is particularly emphasized as a case of recent cryospheric instability, extreme terrain, exposed infrastructure and low preparedness that can lead to severe humanitarian effects. But, although disasters cannot be blamed entirely on global warming, the evidence suggests that a changing climate is impacting the environmental context in which these hazards happen. The study also shows that uneven exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity and responsibility contribute to the distribution of climate-related risks, when interpreted in the Climate Vulnerability and Climate Justice Framework. The study calls for a combination of integrated adaptation, functioning early-warning systems, regional cooperation, climate-resilient infrastructure, and climate finance and technology to make South Asia more resilient to climate change.

Rights of Accused Persons in Pakistan and Compatibility with International Human Rights Standards.

2026-10-07T19:21:07+01:00

Pakistan recognizes liberty, access to counsel, protection against compelled self-incrimination, and fair trial within its constitutional framework. The practical availability of these guarantees nevertheless requires examination beyond the existence of legal provisions. This article develops a doctrinal and comparative analysis from a doctoral thesis on accused persons’ rights, supplemented by verified legislation, recent institutional statistics, and international monitoring documents. It evaluates compatibility across normative recognition, procedural safeguards, institutional delivery, and effective remedies. The analysis identifies an implementation gap involving prolonged detention, restricted access to legal assistance, custodial abuse, and weak coordination between justice institutions. Recent evidence places the reported under-trial share of the prison population at 73.41% in 2024, while the judicial statistics overview records 2,371,389 pending cases across superior and district courts at year end. These administrative aggregates establish institutional pressure but cannot determine the lawfulness of individual detention decisions. Pakistan’s Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022, represents legislative progress; remaining concerns include its treatment of mental suffering and the practical independence of investigation. Comparative examination of England and Wales, the United States, and India supports selective adaptation of custody safeguards, defense workload planning, and detention review mechanisms. The article proposes early legal assistance, documented judicial scrutiny of remand, independent medical assessment, protected complaint procedures, and transparent monitoring of outcomes. It concludes that compatibility is partial and uneven: constitutional recognition provides a necessary foundation, while enforceable procedures and accessible remedies determine whether accused persons can actually exercise their rights.

Freedom of Navigation through the Strait of Hormuz: A Legal Analysis under the International Law of the Sea

2026-10-11T12:23:14+01:00

The Strait of Hormuz is amongst the most crucial international waterways, connecting the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world, upon which a significant part of the world's economy thrives. In recent years, the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point for the world economy, has been triggered by the prevailing escalation between Iran and the USA, attributable to which free navigation under the principle of innocent passage and transit passage given under the International Law of the Sea is repeatedly being impeded. The International Law of the Sea is unable to address the issue of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz because of technicalities of the enforcement mechanism during the International Armed Conflict. There is an absence of mandatory measures regulating free navigation, along with the security claims of coastal states, in a balanced way when some states have not ratified the conventions related to the International Law of the Sea. While the existing literature has focused on the legal status and applicable legal regimes to the Strait of Hormuz provided in the International Law of the Sea, no attention has been given to a comprehensive legal framework so that all states are prevented from creating hegemony over the strait. Conversely, the study focuses on urging international bodies to make a comprehensive, binding legal framework that may restrict states from gaining entire control of the strait unilaterally. Moreover, the research critically examines the historical status of the Strait of Hormuz and comparative practices of other straits. It is evaluated that each state has shared interests in the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to strengthen its own economy. Moreover, the study reveals several technical and legal problems related to the issue; hence, the study concludes by giving several recommendations for terminating these problems through proper legal authority, interpretive guidance and swift solutions.

Critical Analysis of Worker's Rights and Protection in the Gig Economy in Pakistan

2026-10-14T11:30:02+01:00

The gig economy has revolutionized the employment landscape globally, introducing flexible, task-based work managed via digital platforms. In Pakistan, this sector has expanded exponentially across ride-hailing, food delivery, and digital freelancing. However, this growth has exposed significant regulatory deficits. This research paper critically evaluates the existing legal framework governing gig workers in Pakistan and examines the vulnerabilities stemming from ambiguous employment classifications, lack of social security, and non-existent dispute resolution mechanisms. Employing a mixed-methods doctrinal and empirical assessment, this paper highlights how traditional labor statutes fail to protect gig platform workers. Ultimately, the study presents actionable policy and statutory recommendations to align domestic regulations with international labor standards, fostering an equitable environment for independent digital workers